My eyes lethargically followed the little white arrow on the screen, tracking it move in uneven circles. The circles stopped, landing on letters. 

World Literature...

I unconsciously stiffened, now glaring at the little white arrow.

Definitely not! Why did you stop there? Stupid thing!

I abruptly shut the laptop, staring at it for a few moments more. My shoulders then dropped, my body leaning onto the back of my chair. I eventually let my arms fall, feeling more and more like a puddle with every passing moment as my fingers loosened my already-slackened tie for the hundredth time. 

The phone on the table lit up, and after a second of pause I grabbed it in curiosity.

"Let's call later! So much happened!!!!"

I read the response to the text I sent an hour ago.

Did it? Her school should have started at the same time as mine. How much could have happened in two weeks?

I typed a quick reply, setting my phone back on the wooden table; my glance caught the laptop once again, noticing the sun's orange light reflecting off its logo. My head turned to look out of the library's expansive window, observing the forest just outside.

It'll be dark soon. The future can wait.

***

I rounded the corner and promptly proceeded to stumble, my arms flailing a bit as I regained my balance. 

Should I go back? He hasn't noticed me yet! 

The sunset glinted off of the silver mask at the end of the corridor, the man looking down out of a window. 

But the staircase is right there. If I walk quietly, he might not see me. 

I took a single slow step before stopping. Seconds passed; a wave of disappointed embarrassment washed over me, my brows dropping.

Why am I acting like this? He's not Elinka. I'd probably be lucky if I got a single nod from the monotonous guy. 

My posture straightened, my briefcase switching hands as I began to walk normally once again. The sun intermittently hit my face, briefly hiding when I passed a wall and happily reappearing when I passed glass. I couldn't help but take a couple more glances at love interest #2 as I strolled, and my head eventually angled right, my chin lifting to get a better look out the window.

What's he looking at?

Green trees in the distance, an extensive field, a throng of people, bleachers, a spot of red-

Oh, hello.

I had successfully avoided the heroine for the rest of the week, but, of course, that didn't mean that I could avoid seeing the girl herself. Naturally this included lowkey in-game events. The little seed of discomfort in my heart sprouted at that realization, although the weight of all my philosophizing these past few years stomped it back into submission.

Bright blonde ran up to dazzling red, the two seemingly exchanging words and smiles before some other hair color interrupted their conversation. 

My eyes strayed away in disinterest, skillfully avoiding the silver mask nearby as they trained on the staircase at my left. It took a couple more footsteps to reach it, and just when a single shoe descended onto the first stair-

"Stop."

I grabbed the rail to stop my momentum, a second shoe stumbling onto the second stair.

Me? 

I peeked at my surroundings, seeing no one other than Yohan. He was still in the same exact position as before, his back towards me, hands in his pockets, looking down; it didn't seem like he spoke.  

Did I hallucinate?

I took another hesitant step down.

"Please stop."

I swiveled around. Yohan had shifted, half-turned to face me. His dark eyes were unreadable behind the mask. 

"...Me?" 

"Who else?" The bafflement in his voice was apparent. 

How should I know, you eccentric!

The small questioning smile on my lips stiffened. An awkward pause lay before us as I leaned forward, clearing my throat. 

"Did you need something?" I asked.

"Yes." 

The concise word was quickly swallowed up by a thick silence, the guy staring out the window once again. 

I think it was during this boring quiet that I realized I was bearing an awfully long silence for...who-knows-what.

What is it? Speak! I know you have a preset personality, but speak!

As much as I'd like to say I stayed only out of politeness, I couldn't deny my immense curiosity. 

I opened my mouth, only to swiftly close it. Yohan shortly threw a nod at the window, his words almost tumbling out. 

"You've seen them. Together."

I followed his gaze, my stare snapping back to him in understanding.

"Yes? What about them?" My confusion was unmistakable.

Where is this going?

"Does she like him?" His eyes moved to examine me again. 

I nearly choked on my own speechlessness.

So direct!

"Well," I pulled at my tie, "I wouldn't know."

Seems like she chose the golden boy's route, though!

He didn't seem fazed. "You're her friend."

"Not really."

"You are. To her." 

I sighed, my briefcase switching hands again. "We don't know each other that well, so I wouldn't call us friends."

Love interest #2's mask swayed towards the window. Thankfully a year didn't have to pass this time for him to continue. 

"You were there that day. Near the cafe. Along with that other time with the piano."

What! He noticed?

"By coincidence, for both situations." I withheld my expression of discomfort, although I'm sure my surprise shone through.

He shifted to his other foot, almost like he was considering my words. 

"Nevertheless, you seem to be her closest friend so far. She didn't introduce us to anyone but you." 

"Oh," I monotonously commented. It wasn't too shocking. I don't think a lot of girls liked the heroine in the game. 

Another silence. My finger tapped the railing as I waited. 

Such a patient, magnanimous human being you are, Shion. I'm so proud.

"Can you help me?"

My eyebrows must've shot up past my hairline. 

"Help you?"

"Help me," he affirmed. "Help me become likable." His words ripped through the hall; there was no trace of shyness nor hesitation in his bearing. Unequivocally bright sunlight speared past his figure, outlining his lonely, jilted profile.

Poetic.

I didn't say anything for a while - I couldn't. 

A small breath left me, and I spoke: "No."

But I never liked poetry anyway!

He slowly faced me, his hands shifting in his pockets. 

"Why not?"

"I don't even know how I would help you with that."

And it's way too much trouble for an extra like me.

"As your friendship with Elinka deepens, I'm confident you'll find out what she likes in a partner. You'll tell me what you discover. We'll then think of ways for me to woo her."

'Woo'? What a word to use.

"I see..." I nodded, "No thanks. Sorry." I gave him a polite smile and a small motion of departure, whirling around to head downstairs. 

"Please wait. Wait!" 

I briefly stilled, completely out of courtesy this time. I had not a speck of desire to bring myself into this mushy triangle of young love. 

"Sorry, I really-"

"A favor for a favor," Yohan interrupted, "I'll bring you on my team."

My rejections promptly curled back into me, my eyes narrowing, my head tilting a degree.

"Your team?" I tentatively questioned.

"Decisions went out Tuesday evening. I'm a team leader. Today's the last day team leaders can register a member."

"The team limit is five."

"Yes." He leaned onto the wall behind him, finally breaking his perfect posture. "My team currently has two openings."

I processed the sudden proposition; it was Yohan's turn to wait. I could practically feel the gears in my head scraping against each other.

I know I shouldn't question a pie falling from the sky, but...

"You'd take me...just to be a matchmaker?"

"If you're completely detrimental I'll simply kick you out at the end of the year. Though," the man's line-like mouth briefly curled, forming something similar to a mirthful smirk before returning to flatness, "Your powerpoint was good." 

Of course it was good. I wasn't an office drone for nothing. 

"I wasn't supposed to speak during the presentation in the first place," I muttered.

"I heard."

The corridor was dim, the last lagging rays sneaking below the windowsills. 

Choosing my future immediately vs the chance to slack off - what's there to think about?

"Okay, let's do it! I'll be your matchmaker, Mr. Team Leader." I tried to stifle my excited relief as I speedily walked up to the guy, my hand outstreched.

He straightened out and returned my gesture, completing the handshake. The silver ring on his pinky felt cold against my skin.

A/N: Wowee, plot development! Right...?